[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 42005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19830]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1728


Electric Overhead Distribution Lines; Specifications and Drawings 
for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Extension of compliance with Bulletin 50-5 or 1728F-803.

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SUMMARY: In 1998 the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) updated and revised 
its bulletin of specifications and drawings for 24.9/14.4kV overhead 
distribution line construction. The bulletin, formerly named Bulletin 
50-5, was renamed ``RUS Bulletin 1728F-803; Specifications and Drawings 
for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction.'' This bulletin is incorporated by 
reference (IBR) in 7 CFR part 1728. As published in the Federal 
Register on December 31, 1998, at 63 FR 72102, this bulletin was 
approved for IBR by the Director of the Federal Register and was 
effective February 1, 1999.
    To allow borrowers to conduct an orderly transition from the old 
Bulletin 50-5 to the new construction assemblies and assembly numbers 
of the new Bulletin 1728F-803, RUS allowed compliance to either 
bulletin through December 31, 1999, in a compliance notice published in 
the Federal Register on March 29, 1999, at 64 FR 14813. To prevent 
additional errors which may result from the year 2000 compliance 
transitions, RUS has extended the compliance date for borrowers to 
utilize construction drawings in either Bulletin 50-5 or the new 
Bulletin 1728F-803 until July 1, 2001. After July 1, 2001, only 
Bulletin 1728F-803 standard drawings shall be used.
    It is anticipated that this action will also allow borrowers 
sufficient time to make necessary changes in engineering and accounting 
procedures and associated computer software.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 3, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James L. Bohlk, Electrical 
Engineer, Distribution Branch, Electric Staff Division, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 
STOP 1569, Washington, DC 20250-1569. telephone: (202) 720-1967. Fax: 
(202) 720-7491.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), the Rural Utilities Service 
(RUS) amended 7 CFR Chapter XVII, Part 1728, Electric Standards and 
Specification for Materials and Construction, by revising RUS Bulletin 
50-5 (D-803), Specification and Drawings for 14.4/24.9 kV Line 
Construction, and renumbered it as RUS Bulletin 1728F-803. RUS 
maintains a system of bulletins that contains construction standards 
and specifications for materials and equipment. These standards and 
specifications apply to system facilities constructed by RUS electric 
and telecommunications borrowers in accordance with the RUS loan 
contract, and contains standard construction units, material, and 
equipment units commonly used in RUS electric and telecommunication 
borrowers' systems.
    RUS Bulletin 1728F-803 provides dimensioned drawings of standard 
assembly units and specifications for the construction of 24.9/14.4 kV 
overhead electric distribution lines. RUS changed the bulletin number 
from RUS Bulletin 50-5 to RUS Bulletin 1728F-803. The change in the 
bulletin number and reformatting was necessary to conform to RUS' new 
publications and directives system. This bulletin is incorporated by 
reference in Sec. 1728.97. It may be purchased from the Superintendent 
of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15250-7954.

    Dated: July 28, 1999.
Blaine D. Stockton, Jr.,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 99-19830 Filed 8-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P